Ashen dragged the small Razorboar carcass back to the village. His entire body felt like jelly, but the ember inside pulsed warmly, helping him endure.
Villagers stared.A few murmured.
"Is that… Ashen?""Did he kill that beast?""No way. That boy can barely lift a bucket!"
Ashen ignored the whispers.
At the hut, Lira rushed out.
"Ashen! What happened—why are you covered in blood?!"
"It's not mine," he reassured, collapsing onto the stump. "Mostly."
Lira inspected him anxiously. "How did you manage to kill a Razorboar?"
"With… luck."
And a system, though he couldn't say that.
She sighed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Spirits… maybe your body is finally improving."
Ashen gave a faint smile.
After resting, he checked the system again.
[New Feature Unlocked: Growth Path Seed]
A glowing seed icon appeared.
[The host has experienced danger and survived. A Growth Path Seed has been generated.][Choose one to nurture:]
1️⃣ Root of Persistence→ Boosts stamina, increases gains from physical work
2️⃣ Root of Insight→ Slightly increases technique comprehension speed
3️⃣ Root of Survival→ Enhances senses during danger, tiny boost to reaction time
Ashen thought carefully.
He was still weak.He needed a foundation.
"I choose… Root of Persistence."
[Choice confirmed][Growth Path Activated: Root of Persistence (Sapling Stage)][Physical labor now increases Ember Points by 15%]
Ashen grinned.
Good.This would help him complete tasks faster.
That evening, he sat outside, eating simple boar meat stew. Each bite filled his empty stomach with warmth.
As the sun set, he meditated.
The Ember Root glowed brighter.
[Meditation Task: Complete][Daily Challenge Rewards Applied]
A final notification appeared:
[Daily Challenges Completed: +Small Ember Fusion Bonus][Ember Points: +12]
He breathed in deeply, feeling new strength circulate through him.
His journey had barely begun.But in just one day, he felt stronger than ever before.
Tomorrow would be the Awakening Ceremony.
Where all teenagers tested their spirit roots.
Ashen chuckled softly.
A body with shattered meridians… with the worst talent…
He would surely be mocked.
But deep inside him, the ember burned quietly.
Waiting.
Growing.
Preparing.
For tomorrow, things would change.